Samanthi Priyangika Dias, a Supervising Public Health Midwife in Sri Lanka, is dedicated to serving underprivileged communities, addressing teen pregnancies, and malnutrition. Despite the challenges, including personal expenses and lack of government support, Dias's efforts have led to a decrease in teen pregnancies in Egodauyana. The Sri Lanka Health Ministry is planning to set up midwifery schools to strengthen the workforce, reflecting a positive policy shift amidst the economic crisis.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's former president who fled the country amid protests over the economic crisis, has returned after seven weeks. He arrived in Colombo from Bangkok via Singapore and was welcomed by his party members. Rajapaksa, who resigned while in Singapore, will live in an official residence with increased security. Sri Lanka faces its worst economic crisis, with shortages of essentials and a significant foreign debt. The new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has reached a preliminary agreement with the IMF for a bailout package. The Rajapaksa family's political dominance has been challenged, and there is fear among citizens regarding further protests due to the government's crackdown.

Sri Lanka is seeking to establish a new government following a day of protests that led to the storming of the president's residence and the prime minister's house, amidst a severe economic crisis. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have both announced their intentions to resign, with Rajapaksa planning to oversee a peaceful transition of power. The political parties are set to meet to discuss forming an interim government. The economic crisis, attributed to corruption and poor decision-making, has led to a suspension of foreign loan repayments and bailout discussions with the IMF. The future government faces the challenge of stabilizing the country and deciding on debt rescheduling or seeking alternative geopolitical support.

Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic crisis since independence, with severe shortages and inflation reaching 45.3%. Many citizens, like Suvendra Mary, are queuing for passports, hoping to find work abroad to support their families. The crisis has led to widespread protests demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. The IMF is discussing a bailout, but the immediate solution for many, including tourism industry workers, is to seek employment in countries like Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. The government, recognizing the need for foreign remittances, has lowered the legal age for women to work as housemaids abroad and encourages workers to register for overseas jobs.

Sri Lanka's cabinet resigned en masse on Sunday, excluding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, amid widespread protests and a severe economic crisis. The protests, which took place in Colombo, its suburbs, and Kandy, defied a state of emergency. The Rajapaksa family, which has been accused of wartime atrocities, has ruled the country through fear. A meeting was underway to appoint new cabinet members.

Sri Lanka's abrupt shift to organic farming has led to a significant drop in crop yields and a surge in food prices, exacerbating the country's economic difficulties and raising concerns about food shortages. The government's policy, which lasted only seven months, was reversed partially to import fertilizers for major agricultural exports. The move was initially driven by health concerns and a bid to conserve foreign currency reserves amid a struggling economy and rising global prices. The ban on chemical fertilizers, imposed just before the Yala planting season, resulted in an immediate impact on agriculture, with many farmers unprepared for the transition to organic methods. The government's emergency measures to regulate prices and prevent hoarding have not fully addressed the crisis, and it remains uncertain whether farmers will receive fertilizers in time for the next planting season or if the government will continue to subsidize fertilizer costs.

Sri Lanka's zoo animals have experienced a 25% increase in births during the COVID-19 pandemic, with several species breeding for the first time in captivity. The country's zoos, closed since March 2020, have provided a stress-free environment for the animals, contributing to the baby boom. Notable births include three lion cubs and the first-time breeding of a black swan, a white peacock, and a nilgai. While wildlife park officials cannot confirm a breeding increase, animals are noticeably stress-free. The pandemic has also exacerbated Sri Lanka's economic challenges, following a downturn from terrorist attacks in 2019.

Sri Lanka reopened its airports to foreign arrivals after 10 months, coinciding with a rise in COVID-19 cases and public interest in a shaman's tonic claimed to offer protection against the virus. Despite the tonic's popularity, promoted by Dhammika Bandara and supported by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government, several lawmakers fell ill after consumption. The health ministry is investigating the tonic's benefits, while the Government Medical Officers’ Association attributes part of the case surge to gatherings for the tonic. Sri Lanka is welcoming tourists under strict conditions to revive its economy.

In Sri Lanka, election observers from the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reported at least 139 electoral violations, including assaults and intimidation, on the presidential polling day. A convoy of Muslim voters was attacked, but there were no casualties. The election is primarily contested between Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who promises strong leadership, and Sajith Premadasa of the ruling UNP, who advocates pro-poor policies. The campaign has been marked by ethnic tensions, with fears of a return to political violence if Rajapaksa wins, as he was implicated in violence and repression during his previous tenure as defence minister. Author Viraj Lasantha Wijerathna, a critic of the Rajapaksa regime, was assaulted but remains determined to vote. His book criticizes the Rajapaksas' alleged corruption and mismanagement.

Sri Lanka's presidential election concluded with polls closing at 5:00pm local time on Saturday. The election was largely peaceful with few incidents of violence. The main contenders were Sajith Premadasa of the United National Party, focusing on the economy and welfare programs, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, emphasizing national security following the April bombings. High voter turnout was expected, and results were anticipated by Sunday evening. The election was marked by concerns over economic stagnation, national security, and the rights of minority groups, with the Muslim community facing attacks since the Easter Sunday bombings. The election's outcome is seen as pivotal for the country's future direction regarding rights and security.

In Sri Lanka's presidential election, observers reported 139 electoral violations, including assault and intimidation. A convoy of Muslim voters was attacked, but no casualties were reported. The election is primarily contested between Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who promises strong leadership, and Sajith Premadasa, advocating pro-poor policies. The campaign has been divisive, with Rajapaksa's supporters inciting ethnic tensions. The International Crisis Group expressed concerns about potential political violence if Rajapaksa, accused of past political violence and repression, returns to power. Author Viraj Lasantha Wijerathna, critical of the Rajapaksas, was attacked but remained determined to vote.

Sri Lanka held a presidential election with Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sajith Premadasa as the top contenders among a record 35 candidates. The election was marked by high voter turnout, sporadic violence, and allegations of electoral violations. The campaign was divisive, with Rajapaksa promising strong leadership and Premadasa focusing on lower-income groups. Rights groups have called for accountability for alleged abuses during the war, which Rajapaksa was involved in as defence secretary. The minority vote was seen as crucial, with fears of repression under a Rajapaksa government. The election's outcome could lead to a reconfiguration of parliamentary forces and a potential standoff, given recent constitutional changes that weaken the presidency's power.

The article discusses the significance of the Shrine of St. Anthony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is a site revered by people of various faiths for its perceived miraculous powers. The shrine is a destination for thousands seeking help with various issues, including health, financial, and personal problems. The focus is on Sagaya Devi Edison, a survivor of the Easter Sunday attack at the church, who believes that the shrine protected her and her daughter during the bombing because they were seated at the front while the bomber detonated the explosives at the rear of the church.

On Easter Sunday, Anders Holch Povlsen, Denmark's richest man, was at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with his family for breakfast when Ilham Ibrahim, the son of a wealthy Sri Lankan spice trader, approached the same location. The two families, one wealthy from fashion and the other from spices, were about to intersect just before the Easter attacks.

In Sri Lanka, mass burials have begun for the victims of the recent suicide attacks that occurred on Easter Sunday. The attacks, carried out by Islamist extremists according to the government, targeted three churches during Easter Mass and three hotels, resulting in over 350 deaths, including many children. The city of Negombo experienced the deadliest of these attacks. Amidst heavy security, including armored personnel carriers, families gathered to bury their loved ones, with the burial of an 11-year-old boy being one poignant example of the tragedy that has unfolded.